GEORGETOWN, Texas – Defending champion Highland Park Blue enters the 2021 UIL 5A State Golf Tournament at White Wing Golf Club as the favorite after winning Region 2 over Texas High and Highland Park Gold.
Texas High features both experience and youth on its roster. If the Tigers are to challenge the Scots for the title they’ll have to put up some low numbers in the 36-hole event.
White Wing is not particularly long, but don’t mistake its challenge after a relatively easy first hole. The opening hole is a straight 300-yard, par-4, with a small green. Highland Park golfers are known to be long hitters, and could get off to a big start.
Texas High coach Ryan Huntze said he felt the course (par-72, 6,718 yards) might be a plus for his team. Sophomore Thomas Curry won medalist honors at the Region 2 event with a pair of 69s. Teammates Carter Maneth, Camden Robertson, Jack Wilson, and John Patterson may need career rounds.
White Wing features lots of doglegs
There’s several doglegs, water and bunkers. Tee shots need to be in the fairways, and on the right side. Then it all comes down to putting.
The second hole is a 396-yard par-4 that doglegs right.
Club members label the third hole a “birdie hole.” It’s a par-5, measuring 518 yards with a small green.
Those same local golfer tag the 392-yard, par-4 fourth an uphill challenge. No. 5 is the first of three relatively long par-3s. No. 6 is a 413-yard par-4 that doglegs right. No. 7 is the shortest par-3 at 166 yards, with a deep green.
The front nine ends with a 379-yard par-4 that is protected by a large oak in the fairway, and deep bunkers. The par-5 ninth is 560 yards over water that doglegs left.
Back nine could be even tougher
It might be tougher on the White Wing backside.
No. 10 is a 349-yard par-4 that doglegs left. No. 11 is a par-5 with a double-dogleg over water that measures 519 yards. Twelve is a tough par-3 that 202 yards in length, and locals say don’t miss the green to the left.
The tee shot is critical at the 356-yard, par-4 13th. A narrow fairway and two-tiered green awaits the players at the 381-yard, par-4 14th. Par is reportedly a good score at the 15th, a 438-yard par-4 that doglegs left. No. 16 demands accurate clubbing, with it’s elevated green.
Two large green-side bunkers guard the 191-yard 17th. There’s a key decision on the final hole before teeing off. There’s a route right, and another left on the 556-yard, par-5. Golfers must deal with water, and locals agree that it’s probably a three-shot hole to the green.
It’s going to take a lot of skill and smarts to win the 2021 5A State Golf Tournament.